Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi, has launched a scathing attack on Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, accusing him of political suppression and poor governance.
In a statement, Amadi alleged that Governor Mbah is intolerant of opposition and deliberately suppressing dissenting voices in the state.
According to him, Mbah is failing unnecessarily despite the huge resources and goodwill available to his administration.
“You are failing unnecessarily. You are suppressing opposition instead of delivering governance. Enugu people deserve better,” Amadi said.
He argued that the Mbah-led administration has failed to provide purposeful leadership and is more concerned with silencing critics than addressing the real challenges facing the state, including infrastructure decay, youth unemployment and economic hardship.
He added that democracy thrives on opposition and constructive criticism, stressing that any government that gags its people is heading towards authoritarianism.
Amadi further alleged that several opposition members and vocal citizens in the state have been harassed and intimidated for speaking out against the policies of the current administration.
He urged Governor Mbah to retrace his steps and focus on delivering his campaign promises to Ndi Enugu rather than fighting perceived political enemies.
He also questioned reports that the proposed NDC town hall meeting involving the party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been blocked, asking why opposition political activities had increasingly faced challenges in Enugu.
Amadi compared the political atmosphere in Enugu with that in Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states, arguing that opposition parties appeared to have more room to operate in those states.
He maintained that Mbah had the right to support President Bola Tinubu but argued that such support should not come at the expense of political pluralism and the rights of opposition parties.